TS Cristobal expected to move away from Bahamas

MIAMI — Tropical Storm Cristobal is expected to move northward away from the Bahamas but is forecast to stay away from the U.S. East Coast.

The storm's maximum sustained winds Monday morning increased to near 60 mph (95 kph). The U.S. National Hurricane Center says gradual strengthening is expected and Cristobal could become a hurricane in the next few days.

Cristobal is centered about 115 miles (195 kilometers) east-northeast of San Salvador and is moving north near 3 mph (6 kph).

Meanwhile in the Pacific, Hurricane Marie is moving west-northwest as a major Category 4 storm. As of 5 a.m. EDT, Marie's maximum sustained winds were near 145 mph (230 kph) with general weakening expected to begin Monday night. Marie was centered about 465 miles (750 kilometers) southwest of the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula.

WSOC